I look at the last message he sent me. It’s about his weekend in Manchester. He filled me in on what he had eaten, where he had been . . . but things were left unsaid too. I wonder again if Keeley was with him, and feel that familiar twinge of jealousy.
I used to be so sure of how I felt about Ollie. How madly in love I was. And I thought we were this classic love story waiting to happen. Now I’m not so sure. Maybe it’ll be clearer when we’re together again. I’ll have to see what happens at the party.
Thirty-Three
A force unseen, dragging me to you
It’s just science baby, I can’t fight it
Neither can you
This electro field it pulls
Magnets is all it is, with you
‘Magnets’ fromRoses
Suddenly, I’m eighteen.
When I wake up in the morning, I kind of expect something special to have happened. That as adulthood is bestowed on me, my body and mind become something new. Instead I wake up to my school alarm as per normal, roll out of bed, and start my Friday, as I have done every other Friday before.
Mum greets me when I come downstairs.
‘I can’t believe you’ve not gone to work! Don’t you have to be early on Fridays?’ I say, spotting breakfast. It’s smoked salmon and eggs, my favourite, and never seen on a weekday usually. ‘You didn’t need to do this,’ I say, starting to eat.
‘I wanted to. You don’t need to try and do everything, Selena. Plus, I had some time as I’ve taken the day off for my spa date with Gina. We got a great deal because we’re going on a Friday,and I can spend tomorrow with you,’ says Mum, kissing the top of my head. ‘I can’t believe you’re eighteen,’ says Mum, hugging me. ‘It feels like yesterday I was pregnant with you.’
She’s got her bags packed for her night away, her walking cane leaning against them. I feel a pang of guilt about her going away because of me.
‘I’d better head off, but I wanted to wish you a proper happy birthday. Especially since I won’t see you until tomorrow. We’re going to have our big day out then, but have a great day, and enjoy tonight with your friends.’
It’s true, tomorrow Mum and I plan to go out for lunch at my favourite pizza spot and then go shopping. Mum picks up her bags and heads to the door, leaning on the cane.
‘Are you going to be okay?’ I say.
‘The point of the cane is to help me be okay,’ she says. ‘It’s fine, I’m taking it more as a precaution.’ She swipes at the air with it. ‘And it’s a good emergency weapon in case I run into trouble!’
‘All the trouble you’re going to get into at the spa.’ I laugh.
‘You should be the one trying not to get into trouble,’ she says. ‘You’re eighteen now. A grown-up!’ She smiles at me. ‘I’m so proud.’
‘Mum,’ I say, suddenly. ‘Thanks for . . .’The party, the food, raising me single-handed. . . ‘Everything.’
Mum smiles at me. ‘Of course,’ she says. ‘Have fun!’
Before I leave for school, I open the A4 brown envelope Kira gave me yesterday. On it is scribbled in a Sharpie:DO NOT OPEN UNTIL BIRTHDAY. OH, AND FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS.
I roll my eyes and rip open the envelope.
A bark of laughter involuntarily escapes me.
It’s a sash that saysBIRTHDAY GIRLand a tiara that says18.
There’s a note attached.
Happy birthday, bitch! Instructions are to wear the sash andtiara. Do not protest, as you only turn 18 once! Live your best birthday life!
See you in approximately 15 minutes, as I bet you’ve only opened this before leaving the house. Well done for abiding by the first instruction . . . now you have to do the rest!
